About the Kawartha Lakes

The Trent–Severn Waterway is a canal route traversing Southern Ontario cottage country – “The Trent” portion is the heart of the Kawartha Lakes originally intended for industrial and transportation purposes, it is maintained today for recreational boating and tourism as a National Historic Site it is administered by Parks Canada. The chain of lakes and rivers include: the Trent River, Otonabee River, the Kawartha lakes, Lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching and the Severn River. Covering 386 kilometers from Trenton on Lake Ontario to Port Severn on Lake Huron. Boasting 36 locks, two sets of flight locks, The lift lock in Kirkfield and Peterborough, and a marine railway at Big Chute which transports boats between the “Trent” portion and the “Severn” section of the waterway. 160 dams under the management of Parks Canada are vital to ensuring save and navigable water levels are maintained. 39 Swing Bridges including the bridge in the heart of Bobcaygeon are vital to the areas network of roads.